Chronic sinusitis is a common condition in which the cavities around nasal passages (sinuses) become inflamed and swollen — for at least eight weeks, despite treatment attempts.

Also known as chronic rhinosinusitis, this condition interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. If you have chronic sinusitis, it may be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around your eyes and face may feel swollen, and you may have throbbing facial pain or a headache.

Chronic sinusitis may be caused by an infection, but it can also be caused by growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or by a deviated nasal septum. Chronic sinusitis most commonly affects young and middle-aged adults, but it also can affect children.

Chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis have similar signs and symptoms, but acute sinusitis is a temporary infection of the sinuses often associated with a cold. At least two of the following signs and symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis:

Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat

The signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis are similar to acute sinusitis, except they last longer and often cause more significant fatigue. Fever isn't a common sign of chronic sinusitis, as it may be with acute sinusitis.

When to see a doctor

You may have several episodes of acute sinusitis, lasting less than four weeks, before developing chronic sinusitis. You may be referred to an allergist or an ear, nose and throat specialist for evaluation and treatment.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if:

You've had sinusitis a number of times, and the condition fails to respond to treatment

You have sinusitis symptoms that last more than seven days

Your symptoms don't get better after you see your doctor

See a doctor immediately if you have symptoms that may be a sign of a serious infection:

Pain or swelling around your eyes

A swollen forehead

Severe headache

Confusion

Double vision or other vision changes

Stiff neck

Shortness of breath

Common causes of chronic sinusitis include:

Nasal polyps. These tissue growths may block the nasal passages or sinuses.

Allergic reactions. Allergic triggers include fungal infection of the sinuses.

Deviated nasal septum. A crooked septum — the wall between the nostrils — may restrict or block sinus passages.

Trauma to the face. A fractured or broken facial bone may cause obstruction of the sinus passages.

Other medical conditions. The complications of cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux, or HIV and other immune system-related diseases may result in nasal blockage.

You're at increased risk of getting chronic or recurrent sinusitis if you have:

A nasal passage abnormality, such as a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps

Aspirin sensitivity that causes respiratory symptoms

An immune system disorder, such as HIV/AIDS or cystic fibrosis

Hay fever or another allergic condition that affects your sinuses

Asthma — about 1 in 5 people with chronic sinusitis have asthma

Regular exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke

Chronic sinusitis complications include:

Asthma flare-ups. Chronic sinusitis can trigger an asthma attack.

Meningitis. This infection causes inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

Vision problems. If infection spreads to your eye socket, it can cause reduced vision or even blindness that can be permanent.

Aneurysms or blood clots. Infection can cause problems in the veins surrounding the sinuses, interfering with blood supply to your brain and putting you at risk of a stroke.

When you see your doctor, expect a thorough examination of your sinuses. Your doctor may also examine your eyes, ears, nose and throat. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may want to know:

What symptoms you have

When your symptoms started

What, if anything, seems to improve or worsen your symptoms

Whether you currently have a cold or other respiratory infection, or you've had one recently

If you have allergies

If you smoke, are exposed to secondhand smoke or are regularly exposed to other airborne pollutants

What medications you take, including herbal remedies and supplements

Any other health problems you have

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For chronic sinusitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?

Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?

What kinds of tests do I need?

What is the best course of action?

I have other conditions, how can I best manage these conditions together?

Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?

Should I see a specialist?

Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have.

To look for the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will feel for tenderness in your nose or throat. To make it easier to see inside your nasal passages, he or she may:

Use a tool to hold your nose open

Apply medication that constricts blood vessels in your nasal passages

Shine a light into your nasal passages to look for inflammation or fluid

This visual inspection will also help rule out physical conditions that trigger sinusitis, such as nasal polyps or other abnormalities.

Your doctor also may use several other methods to help screen for chronic sinusitis:

Nasal endoscopy. A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) with a fiber-optic light inserted through your nose allows your doctor to visually inspect the inside of your sinuses. This also is known as rhinoscopy.

Imaging studies. Images taken using computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show details of your sinuses and nasal area. These may identify a deep inflammation or physical obstruction that's difficult to detect using an endoscope.

Nasal and sinus cultures. Cultures are generally unnecessary for diagnosing chronic sinusitis. However, in cases in which the condition fails to respond to treatment or is progressing, tissue cultures may help pinpoint the cause, such as bacteria or fungi.

An allergy test. If your doctor suspects that the condition may be brought on by allergies, an allergy skin test may be recommended. A skin test is safe and quick and can help pinpoint the allergen that's responsible for your nasal flare-ups.

The goal of treating chronic sinusitis is to:

Reduce sinus inflammation

Keep your nasal passages draining

Eliminate the underlying cause

Reduce the number of sinusitis flare-ups you have

Treatments to relieve symptoms

Your doctor may recommend treatments to help relieve sinusitis symptoms. These include:

Oral or injected corticosteroids. These medications are used to relieve inflammation from severe sinusitis, especially if you also have nasal polyps. Examples include prednisone and methylprednisolone. Oral corticosteroids can cause serious side effects when used long term, so they're used only to treat severe symptoms.

Decongestants. These medications are available in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription liquids, tablets and nasal sprays. Examples of OTC oral decongestants include Sudafed and Actifed. An example of an OTC nasal spray is oxymetazoline (Afrin). These medications are generally taken for a few days at most; otherwise they can cause the return of more severe congestion (rebound congestion).

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome — a potentially life-threatening illness — never give aspirin to anyone younger than age 18. Some of these medications can make chronic sinusitis worse, so be sure to check with your physician before starting any pain reliever

Aspirin desensitization treatment if you have reactions to aspirin that cause sinusitis. However, this treatment is usually available only in specialized clinics and medical centers.

Potentially more effective methods of delivering medications to the sinuses are being studied.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are sometimes necessary for sinusitis if you have a bacterial infection. However, chronic sinusitis is often caused by something other than bacteria, so antibiotics don't always help.

Immunotherapy
If allergies are contributing to your sinusitis, allergy shots (immunotherapy) that help reduce the body's reaction to specific allergens may help treat the condition.

Surgery

In cases that continue to resist treatment or medication, endoscopic sinus surgery may be an option. For this procedure, the doctor uses an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with an attached light, to explore your sinus passages. Then, depending on the source of obstruction, the doctor may use various instruments to remove tissue or shave away a polyp that's causing nasal blockage. Enlarging a narrow sinus opening also may be an option to promote drainage.

These self-help steps can help relieve sinusitis symptoms:

Rest. This will help your body fight inflammation and speed recovery.

Drink fluids, such as water or juice. This will help dilute mucous secretions and promote drainage. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol, as they can be dehydrating. Drinking alcohol can also worsen the swelling of the lining of the sinuses and nose.

Moisturize your sinus cavities. Drape a towel over your head as you breathe in the vapor from a bowl of medium-hot water. Keep the vapor directed toward your face. Or take a hot shower, breathing in the warm, moist air. This will help ease pain and help mucus drain.

Rinse out your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle (Sinus Rinse, others), saline canister or neti pot to rinse your nasal passages. This home remedy, called nasal lavage, can help clear your sinuses. If you make your own rinse, use water that's contaminant-free — distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered using a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller — to make up the irrigation solution. Also be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with contaminant-free water, and leave open to air-dry.

Sleep with your head elevated. This will help your sinuses drain, reducing congestion.

Take these steps to reduce your risk of getting chronic sinusitis:

Avoid upper respiratory infections. Minimize contact with people who have colds. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before your meals.

Carefully manage your allergies. Work with your doctor to keep symptoms under control.

Avoid cigarette smoke and polluted air. Tobacco smoke and air contaminants can irritate and inflame your lungs and nasal passages.

Use a humidifier. If the air in your home is dry, such as it is if you have forced hot air heat, adding moisture to the air may help prevent sinusitis. Be sure the humidifier stays clean and free of mold with regular, thorough cleaning.

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